Awning



NOV. 16, LORENZ ETAL k AWNING Filed Jan. 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTORS My wmn IR- LORENZ c; n ance A- 8 By Nov. 16, 1948. PM. R. LORENZ ET AL AWNING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1946 INVENTORS z M n O L R N V- M Patented Nov. 16, 1948 OFFICE AWNING Mynard R. Lorenz and Clarence A. Brahm, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 15, 1946, Serial No. 641,191

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to awnings in the conventional form of rooflike covers extending over or before porches, windows, or other places, as shelters from the sun, rain, or wind.

Important objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an awning of the character described, which is entirely constructed of light weight metallic material preferably aluminum, which is primarily designed and intended to be installed as a permanent structure, which is conveniently operable and adjustable to the open position to admit the maximum of light and ventilation therethrough, which is tensionally held in the closed position, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, compact, noiseless, attractive in appearance, and comparatively economical in its manufacture, installation, and maintenance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and, arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the latter are merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, and that the actual needs of practice and manufacture may require certain mechanical variations from the embodiment shown. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention to the disclosure thereof herein illustrated, but rather to define such limitations to the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a metallic, adjustable awning constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the awning, taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse, cross sectional view of the awning with the embodied louver panels being disposed in the open positions.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, transverse cross sectional View of a louver panel, and illustrating the connection of the latter with its supporting and operating elements.

Referring in detail to the drawing l represents the entire supporting frame of the awning. The frame is rigid and is preferably constructed of fabricated structural metal. The frame is fixedly secured against the building structure 2, against which the awning is to be attached. The frame includes a plurality of parallel and angularly disposed frame members 3, which are positioned at an angle from the horizontal to provide the required pitch or degree of roof slope for the awning to drain rain from the latter.

An angularly disposed frame member 3 is positioned at each end of the frame I, and as many others are provided therebetween, in regularly spaced relation to each other, as are required to properly support and to prevent sagging of the louver panels 4. The louver panels are mounted on the frame members 3, and the number of the latter required is determined by the length of the span of the awning.

An end wall 5 is permanently secured against each end of the frame I to close the respective ends of the latter, and a front wall 6 is secured against the front of the frame. The end and front walls 5 and 6 may each be in the form of an integral structure, or each may be constructed of a plurality of separate sections. The end and front walls 5 and 6 are preferably shaped in an appropriate ornamental design to enhance the appearance and attractiveness of the awning, and the lower ends thereof depend below the frame I thereby giving the improved metal awning the general appearance of the conventional type of awnings, particularly of awnings for homes.

The roof of the awning comprises the plurality of louver panels 4, and the upper and lower roof panels 1 and 8. All of the panels are disposed horizontally lengthwise in parallel relation to each other. The roof panel l is secured to the upper end of the frame members 3 against the building structure 2, and the lower roof panel 8 is secured in position at the lower ends of the frame members 3.

An important feature of the invention is the construction and assembly of the louver panels 4. Each of the louver panels is formed with a rear reenforcing flange 9 and with a front reenforcing fiange H], which flanges 9 and I0 extend throughout the length of the louver panel, and serve to adequately stiffen the latter.

The rear flange 9 depends at right angles from the rear edge of the louver panel 4. The front flange l0 likewise depends at right angles from the louver panel, but is spaced from the front edge of the latter to provide the overlapping front portion II forwardl thereof.

When the louver panels 4 are assembled on the frame I and are in the closed position, the rear flanges 9 thereof will seat on the top of the angularly disposed frame members 3. The front portion H of each louver panel will overlap the top of the rear edge margin portion of the louver panel that is disposed adjacent to and directly leased from forward thereof, and the front flange ID will be thereby held in slightly spaced relation to the frame members 3, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

Each of the louver panels 4 carries a plurality of pivoting brackets H! which are secured in fixed position against the underside of the louver panel. In each of the louver panels one such pivoting bracket "1.2 is disposed "later-ally 10f and against ea'chirame member 3 embodiedin the frame I.

Each of the brackets I2 is pivotally joined to the respective frame members 3, at a point adjacent to and below the rear flange 9 of the associated louver panel 4, by means of .a pivoting ;Pin;,l3, whereby the rear of each of the louver panelsiis shiftably attached to the frame .members 3.

Each of the brackets i2 includes a depending arm I4, which has its lower end pivotally 0011- nected to an operating bar I5, by means of a pivotingrpin t6. Allof thearms--ll.of.the.brackets 12 that are pivotally joined to a common frame member :3, are likewise pivotally connected to .a common operating bar 45.

The forward end-of each of the operatingbars i5 is connected .tmafpull irope l'l, .which latter first extends forwardly .and .through 'a pulley I B at the frontof the frame and thenirear-wardly from :said pulley [8 through another =pulleyll9 at the rear and near the toprof the frame I.

.It'will be obvious thata pull on .theropes 11 will draw the operating bars 1.5 in the .forward direction, wherebyall of the louver panels 4 will lee-simultaneously shifted to the open positionson their pivotal connections with the :framemembers 3,.as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Thelouver'panels a4 are-.maintainedin the open-positions by securing the freecends of the pull ropes .l'l .to a-suitable fastener 20 thatis fixed .to :the building structure 2. When the pull ropes H .are rethe fastener :20, the louver panels will simultaneously shift to their closedpositions by gravity action.

{A spira1--spring 2| connects -with ,the rearward end-of each of ,the operating .bars land with the frame I. The-normal action of the springs 2! tendtoshift the louverpanelslfrom the open to the closed positions, and to tensionally hold the latter in the closedpositions. Such tensional action of the springs 2| will-assure .a leakproof engagement at the overlapping portions of the louver panels, andprevent the shifting and rattle of the 1atter from untoward weather .conditions.

When in the open positions, the louverpanels .4 'are preferably .disposedona level horizontal plane, as shown :in Figure 3, as .-such positions of use on homes to replace -of canvas awnings, as

the louver panels provide the maximum openings and capacity for the admittance of light and ventilation through the open louver panels. The opening movements of the louver'panels are limited by the engagement of the free lower edges of the rear flanges 9, of the louver panels, against the top of the frame members 3 when the louver panels are in the proper open positions.

.;It will here be "noted =that :the improved metal awning, beingadjustable and designed for permanent installation, is particularly adaptable for the conventional type its use eliminates the need for seasonable installation and removal. Further, the metalawning'may be readily painted in sin- -gleor variegated colors to provide any desired ornamental or decorative appearance.

The present invention provides a most substantial and efficient structure of its kind, which may be economically manufactured and installed, and which maybersuccessfully and conveniently employedforthepurposes and in the manner herein settforth.

What we claim is:

In a metal awning construction of the class described, an elongated sheet metal louver panel, a reenforcing flange formed integral with the rear edge of said panel and depending at right angles from thelatten'a reenforcing front portion formed integral with the front edge of said panel and being inturned flatly against'the under face of the front portion of said panel, and areenforcingflange formed'integral with the rear edge-of said'inturned front portion and being disposed adjacent to but spaced from the front edge 'of said panel, said last-mentioned flange depending at right angles to said panel and being formed by folding flatly together the rear portion of said inturnedfront portion to provide a flange structure of double material thickness.

MYNARD RJLORENZ. CLARENCE A. BRAHM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

